The Cowes Floating Bridge has successfully undergone its 5-yearly safety inspection in Falmouth and has returned to the Isle of Wight this morning (Monday).
Over the past few weeks, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has carried out a full ‘Out of Water Survey’ at a dry dock in Falmouth, Cornwall – a legal requirement for all chain ferries.
Councillor Phil Jordan, Cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, said:
“I’m pleased to report that the floating bridge has successfully completed its MCA safety inspection.
“We have also taken this opportunity to do some other routine works to the vessel, such as repainting, works to electrical systems and an update to the on-board CCTV.
“Our aim now is to return the ferry to service as swiftly and safely as possible”..
The vessel will undergo a final inspection by the MCA tomorrow (Tuesday) with the aim of returning the vessel to service on Wednesday 13th April – a week earlier than expected.
A launch service will remain in operation for foot passengers and cyclists until that time.
Wow it passed in a dry Dock!!!!!
But the burning question is will it float ?????
And how long for ?????
Bit optimistic bringing it back on the 13th (unlucky for some)…..
Still won’t hold my breath….
Let’s be kind and give it / them the benefit of the doubt (lol)….
The staff will be ok it will break down for easter
Earlier than expected due to 2 damaged windows….
Told you not to hold your breath !!!!!!
What a shame it passed its inspection- could of left it in Cornwall – it’s not wanted here.
All bets are on.. How long will it last before it breaks? I say 2 months.
As long as that? Wow!
More like a week!!
2 months!!! More like two days!
Will be going back out of service on Thursday 14th due to hydraulic ram problems with the ramps. Moneypit piece of sh*t.
Shame it didn’t sink on way back, it be more reliable as a wreak for divers then as a ferry
give the thing a week and it will be broken again, why does this council trumpet how wonderful the thing is when it is utterly unfit for purpose, don’t they take any notice of the recent report which stated it was badly designed and badly built, but then it is only our money they are throwing away so that doesn’t matter.
Already out of service
Won’t last today … there we go two smashed windows whilst docking . How much more expense do islanders have to endure ? When will this shameful unfit piece of junk be sent to a metal graveyard? And get something that actually works? Why can’t we accept its useless?
Amazing that the nearest, sufficiently large, dry-dock is a 400 mile round trip for the chain ferry. That must have been another significant cost?
And they have bent it already.
Re-painted, has the thing been cleaned since new?? I don’t think so seeing all the Alge growing on all the easy to get at surfaces.